Cotton picker spindle with barbed inserts



Feb. 2, 1954 H. o. VOGEL COTTON PICKER SPINDLE WITH BARBED INSERTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 15, 1949 #N mm mm m ON E INVENTOR HILMONDO VOGEL.

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COTTON PICKER SPINDLE WITH BARBED INSERTS Original Filed July 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 h g N INVENTOR HILMONDQVOGEL ATTY Patented Feb. 2, 1954 COTTON PICKER SPINDLE WITH BARBED INSERTS Hilmond 0. Vogel, Chicago, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Substituted for abandoned application Serial No.

104,930, July 15, 1949. This application November 21, 1952, Serial No. 321,911

8 Claims.

This application is a substitute for application bearing Serial Number 104,930 filed July 15, 1949 and since abandoned.

This invention relates to an improved cotton picker spindle. More specifically, the invention relates to an insert adapted to be assembled with a cotton picker spindle, the insert including a plurality of barbed portions arranged to engage and pick the cotton lobes from the plants in the field. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel fabricated spindle insert having fiber catching barbs projecting from the insert.

The cotton picker machine to which the present invention relates usually consists of a picking mechanism having a pair of laterally disposed picker drums which engage the cotton plants. The drums usually consist of several hundred rotating spindles, the spindles being arranged to pick the fibrous lobes of cotton from the plants. The spindle type of cotton picking machine has been found to be very satisfactory in operation. One of the major difficulties encountered with this machine, however, has been the frequent replacement of the conical picker spindles. Each cotton picker spindle includes a plurality of sharpened barbs and these barbs are arranged to engage the fibrous elements of the cotton boll. Due to the generally thick stalks and other vegetation of the cotton plant, the barbed spindles are found to' become dulland worn at relatively frequent intervals. In each instance, the dulling of the spindles requires complete replacement of the spindle proper. The spindles are of inherently high cost since they generally consisted of machined parts which have to be completely discarded. The time involved in replacing the spindles also is a very important factor in the maintenance cost of the machine. Generally, the task of removing the spindle involves operations which are at least tantamount to a complete general overhauling of the unit.

It is therefore a prime object of this invention to provide an improved cotton picker spindle,

the spindle including a plurality of quickly replaceable inserts.

Still another object is to provide an improved cotton picker spindle having a plurality of axially extending slots formed in the body of the spindle,

the slots being arranged to receive and retain a plurality of inserts having barbed projections for engaging and picking fibrous cotton.

A still further object is to provide an improved barbed insert for a cotton pickerspindle', the insert comprising essentially a' sheet metal channel-shaped body having a plurality of barbs projecting outwardly of the body.

Still another object is to provide a sheet metal insert for a cotton picker spindle, the insert being of channel-shape construction and including a plurality of barbs which are pressed outwardly of the sheet metal and provide barbs for picking fibrous vegetation.

Still another object is to provide an improved construction for securing a plurality of picker spindle inserts on the body of the spindle proper.

Still another object is to provide a picker spindle insert, the insert including a sheet metal channel-shaped body having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending projections, the projections being sharpened to provide a plurality of fibrous picking barbs.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the specification when examined in connection with the sheets of drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevational view of a cotton picker spindle showing one embodiment of the invention, the view having portions of the spindle shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of an insert retaining portion of a picker spindle.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary central longitudinal sectional view taken through the insert holding portion of a cotton picker spindle showing the inserts secured in place.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a channelshaped cotton picking insert.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view partially in section through a modified form of a picker spindle.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged cross section generally taken along the line 11 of Fig. 6.

Ftig. 8 is a plan view of a modified spindle inser Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the portion of a spindle insert shown in Figures 1 to 5.

The spindle unit I!) shown in Fig. l is but one of many hundred of spindles which are usually contained in the picker mechanism of a cotton picker. The unit l0 comprises a spindle structure II having a journal portion l2. The journal portion l 2 has connected at one end a drive gear l3. The drive gears l3 of a plurality of these spindles are usually engaged by the gears in a Figs. 6, '7 and 9.

picker drum which provide for rotational movement of the picker spindles during the operation of the cotton picker. The picker drum and cotton machine generally is not shown since it forms no part of the present invention.

The spindle structure it also includes a longitudinally extending conical body or insert holding portion 54. The longitudinal body 14 includes a plurality of axially extending recesses or slots l5 which extend inwardly into the body as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The slots or recesses l5 also include .undercut portions l6 formed on the spindle structure H adjacent the journal portion l2.

A picker spindle insert is generally designated by the reference character ii. The insert includes a longitudinally extending barbed surface i8. The spindle insert 17 is made of a relatively thin sheet metal having a channel or U- shaped construction including leg members 19 which project, as best shown in Fig. 5, inwardly toward the axis of the spindle structure l i. The U-shaped insert I? has a plurality of projections or prongs 29 which are pressed outwardly of the surface it. During manufacture of this type of insert large sections of metal may be formed into a channel shape. The metal may be of a relatively thin construction and stamping and forming presses (not shown) may be arranged to pierce the metal in a manner wherein the metal is displaced outwardly as best shown in Fig. 10, whereby an opening 2! is left in the metal. The displaced metal forms the projection or prong 20 which provides an ideal barb adapted to disengage the fibrous bolls of cotton from the cotton plant. It can be seen that the type of spindle insert may be easily manufactured since the proper size inserts may be readily cut from the finished length of the channel-shaped piece. It must, of course, be understood that various methods of manufacture may be employed in developing the channelshaped spindle insert and it is not intended to claim the various manufacturing methods in this application. The.

manufacturing method is mentioned only to indicate the economical manner in which the inserts may be produced.

The insert i? is provided with an ofiset lip 22 at one end thereof. The lip 22, as best shown in Fig. 1, is adapted to lap underneath and engage the undercut portion i6. The other end of the insert H is provided with a pair of substantially parallel extensions 23. A cap 2% includes an annular socket 25, the socket 525 being adapted to engage the extensions 23 and thus secure the legs against lateral displacement from the spindle structure H. The cap 26 may readily be disassembled since it is secured to the spindle structure H by means of a threaded attachment member 26 which engages the lower end of the conical body i i.

In order to disassemble the spindle inserts 41 for replacement purposes, the operator merely loosens the cap as a sufiicient distance away from the lower ends of the inserts ii so that the insert may be removed from the axially extending slot l5. The inserts ii are expendable and can be discarded after use since they may be inexpensively manufactured. The spindle structure l! proper need no longer be replaced nor discarded and therefore the increased material, time and labor saving is effective to produce economies in the cotton picking machines.

A modified form of the invention is shown in In Fig. 6 the cotton pickernally extending conical body 39.

provided with a socket 32 integrally formed on the body 30.

The spindle structure H is adapted to support a plurality of spindle inserts generally des ignated by the reference character 33. Each insert 33 includes a sheet metal body 34. The

sheet metal body 34 is of U-shaped construction and includes a pair of leg members 34' which are substantially coextensive with the body and extend outwardly thereof. The sheet metal body includes a plurality of ridges or projections 35 which extend transversely of the body and are spaced from each other by means of a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections 36 as best shown in Fig. 8. The ridges or projections 35 are provided with sharpened ends 37 which act as barbs for engaging the fibrous bolls of cotton. One end of the insert 33 is provided with an oiiset lip 38. The offset lip 33, as best shown in Fig. 6, of each insert is adapted to engage and be secured in the socket 322 of the spindle.

The inserts 33 may be quickly assembled in the slots 3i of the spindle. As best shown in Fig. 8 the legs 34' terminate a distance short of the end of the insert 33, thus leaving a substantially flat engaging portion 39. The engaging portion 39 of each insert is adapted to engage an annular undercut portion 46 on the spindle structure H adjacent the journal portion l2. The journal portion 12 is provided with a threaded section 4| which is engaged by a collar or securing member 42. The collar 42 is threaded so that it may be moved longitudinally with respect to the journaled portion !2' for engaging and overlapping the engaging portions 39 of the inserts 33, thereby securely holding the inserts on the spindle.

The inserts shown can be manufactured in an inexpensive manner and since they are of a sheet metal construction they are readily expendable after the barbs have become worn. As indicated the inserts may be readily and quickly replaced with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator. Since the inserts are of channel-shaped construction, the legs of the channel of each insert provide a strong and rigid reenforcement for the surface from which the barbs project. Thus a relatively thin sheet metal material may be utilized with complete assurance that the inserts are sufliciently strong to withstand the pressures to which they may be subjected. The legs of the inserts engage the sides of the slots in a manner to prevent lateral dis placement of the inserts from the spindle proper. By means of the novel connecting arrangement the insert may be quickly removed and replaced in the slots and thus maintenance cost of the spindles is clearly reduced. By the utilization of a channel shape sheet metal insert applicant has provided an important advancement in the reduction of maintenance and operating costs of a cotton picking machine.

.It is believed that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved by the preferred form and the modified structures shown and described. It must be understood that various changes may be made in the construction without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention nor the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A picker spindle structure comprising a spindle having a journal portion and an insert holding portion disposed between said journal and an end of spindle, said insert holding portion including a conical body, a plurality of axially extending slots formed in the conical body, a plurality of channel-shaped picker inserts posed in the slots of said body, each of said inserts including a substantially flat surface having projecting barbs, laterally spaced leg members disposed at opposite sides of said surface, the leg members extending angularly with respect to the surface, and means securing said inserts within said slots whereby the leg members of said inserts engage the sides of said slots and the surface is positioned substantially flush with the outer surface of the conical body.

2. A picker spindle structure comprising a spindle having a journal portion and an insert holding portion disposed between said journal portion and an end of said spindle, said insert holding portion including a longitudinal body having a plurality of axially extending slots, a plurality of barbed picker inserts disposed in said slots, each of said inserts being channel-shaped and having oppositely disposed leg portions engaging the sides of said slots and being directed inwardly toward the axis of said spindles, and means for securing said inserts in the axially extending slots.

3. A picker spindle structure comprising a spindle having a journal portion and an insert holding portion disposed between said journal and an end of said spindle, said insert holding portion including a longitudinal body having a plurality of axially extending slots, a plurality of U-shaped inserts disposed in said slots, said inserts each including a surface having picker barbs projecting outwardly of the longitudinal body.

4. A picker spindle structure comprising a spindle having a journal portion and an insert holding portion disposed between said journal and an end of said spindle, said insert holding portion including a longitudinally extending hollow body having a plurality of axially extending slots, and a plurality of U-shaped inserts disposed in the slots, each of said inserts having a barbed outer surface and a pair of leg portions projecting inwardly toward the axis of the spindle.

5. A picker spindle structure comprising a spindle having a journal portion and an insert holding portion disposed between said journal and an end of said spindle, said insert holding portion including a tubular body having a plurality of axially extending slots, a U-shaped insert disposed in each slot, each insert including a barbed outer surface, a pair of leg portions connected to the outer surface and extending inwardly to ward the axis of said spindle, means securing said inserts within the slots including a socket formed at the lower end of the tubular body, said socket being arranged to receive one end portion of each insert in securing engagement, and a collar axially movable on the spindle, said collar being arranged and constructed to engage a second end portion of each spindle.

6. A picker spindle structure comprising a spindle having a journal portion and an insert holding portion disposed between the journal portion and an end of said spindle, said insert holding portion including a tubular body having a plurality of axially extending slots, a picker insert connected in each slot, each insert including a longitudinally extending body, a plurality of picker barbs projecting from said longitudinal body outwardly of the spindle, laterally spaced reinforcing legs on said longitudinal body, said legs extending inwardly toward the axis of the spindle with the legs disposed in said slot, and means removably securing said inserts within said slots.

7. A picker spindle structure according to claim 6 wherein the inserts are formed of sheet metal, the barbs being integral with the longitudinal body and having sharp portions displayed laterally outwardly of the body.

8. A picker spindle structure according to claim -6 wherein the longitudinal body is provided with a plurality of projections, the projections extending transversely across the body, each projection having a sharpened end portion comprising a picker barb.

HILMOND O. VOGEL.

No references cited. 

